You put into words what I have been experiencing over the past two years. I have returned home to care for my father, and am spending a lot of time sorting through childhood memories, but surprisingly, not memories with my parents, but memories of me alone, riding my bike as a kid, driving as a teen, playing alone in the backyard. There were many things I expected to feel during this caregiving process, but childhood memories about my alone time were definitely not on my list. Thanks for helping me put this into context.
I love your statement about the rich history of being you before being someone’s wife. I too am trying to connect back with that part of me, so that was such a beautiful gentle reminder.
Thank you for sharing this, Rachel. I am in almost the same position as you. My wife and I are splitting up after almost 25 years of marriage and 32 years of being together. I recently moved out which involved me signing a lease for the first time for just myself. I'm enjoying living by myself, but also feel that loneliness. The reality is I feel SO many emotions from happy to sad to excited to anxious to angry to fatigued and back again. I'm doing my best to feel each feeling and remember none of this is permanent. It's a lot of new experiences happening all at once. I've been spending an enormous amount of time doing self-care such as meditation and exercise. I wish you the best of luck and know we'll both get through this. Please take good care.
Thank you Rachel for sharing this part of yourself with us.
This is beautiful, Rachel. Thank you!
You put into words what I have been experiencing over the past two years. I have returned home to care for my father, and am spending a lot of time sorting through childhood memories, but surprisingly, not memories with my parents, but memories of me alone, riding my bike as a kid, driving as a teen, playing alone in the backyard. There were many things I expected to feel during this caregiving process, but childhood memories about my alone time were definitely not on my list. Thanks for helping me put this into context.
I love your statement about the rich history of being you before being someone’s wife. I too am trying to connect back with that part of me, so that was such a beautiful gentle reminder.
Beautiful words from a beautiful woman! Love, Dad
I’m so grateful I found your substack. This lands with me so hard. Thank you. 💚
Thank you for sharing this, Rachel. I am in almost the same position as you. My wife and I are splitting up after almost 25 years of marriage and 32 years of being together. I recently moved out which involved me signing a lease for the first time for just myself. I'm enjoying living by myself, but also feel that loneliness. The reality is I feel SO many emotions from happy to sad to excited to anxious to angry to fatigued and back again. I'm doing my best to feel each feeling and remember none of this is permanent. It's a lot of new experiences happening all at once. I've been spending an enormous amount of time doing self-care such as meditation and exercise. I wish you the best of luck and know we'll both get through this. Please take good care.